What does merely mean?

Definitions for merely
mere·ly

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word merely.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. merely, simply, just, only, butadverb

    and nothing more

    "I was merely asking"; "it is simply a matter of time"; "just a scratch"; "he was only a child"; "hopes that last but a moment"

Wiktionary

  1. merelyadverb

    Wholly, entirely.

  2. merelyadverb

    Without any other reason etc.; only, just, and nothing more.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Merelyadverb

    Simply; only; thus and no other way; for this and for no other end or purpose.

    Etymology: from mere.

    Which thing we ourselves would grant, if the use thereof had been merely and only mystical. Richard Hooker, b. v.

    These external manners of laments
    Are merely shadows to the unseen grief,
    That swells with silence in the tortur’d soul. William Shakespeare.

    It is below reasonable creatures to be conversant in such diversions as are merely innocent, and have nothing else to recommend them. Joseph Addison, Spect. №. 93.

    Above a thousand bought his almanack merely to find what he said against me. Jonathan Swift.

    Prize not your life for other ends
    Than merely to oblige your friends. Jonathan Swift.

ChatGPT

  1. merely

    Merely can be generally defined as something that is only or just its basic form or level, with little significance or importance attached to it. It emphasizes simplicity, insignificance, or lack of complexity.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Merelyadverb

    purely; unmixedly; absolutely

  2. Merelyadverb

    not otherwise than; simply; barely; only

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'merely' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1332

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'merely' in Written Corpus Frequency: #3103

  3. Adverbs Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'merely' in Adverbs Frequency: #125

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of merely in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of merely in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of merely in a Sentence

  1. Mary Howitt:

    God sends children for another purpose than merely to keep up the race - to enlarge our hearts; and to make us unselfish and full of kindly sympathies and affection; to give our shoulds higher aims; to call out all our faculties to extended enterprise and exertion and to bring round our firesides bright faces, happy smiles, and loving, tender hearts. My soul blesses the great Father, every day, that he has gladdened the earth with little children

  2. Arnold Schoenberg:

    My music is not modern, it is merely badly played.

  3. Charlie Craig:

    In 2012, fiancs Charlie Craig and David Mullins attempted to order a cake to celebrate Charlie Craig and David Mullins upcoming wedding, from the Masterpiece Cakeshop, in Lakewood, Colo. Jack Phillips, Jack Phillips, told Charlie Craig and David Mullins Jack Phillips would sell Charlie Craig and David Mullins any other baked goods in Jack Phillips store, but would not design a wedding cake because it was in conflict with Jack Phillips Christian beliefs. Charlie Craig and Charlie Craig and David Mullins filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, which ruled in Charlie Craig and David Mullins favor, as did the Colorado Court of Appeals. In its determination in favor of Jack Phillips, the high court did not alter Colorado's anti-discrimination law, instead the case turned on the way in which the baker was treated by Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Writing for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote,... some of the commissioners at the commission's formal, public hearings endorsed the view that religious beliefs can not legitimately be carried into the public sphere or commercial domain, disparaged Philips' faith as despicable and characterized it as merely rhetorical, and compared Justice Anthony Kennedy invocation of Justice Anthony Kennedy sincerely held religious beliefs to defenses of slavery and the holocaust. Charlie Craig, Charlie Craig and David Mullins, and the ACLU, which assisted in the case, agreed, on that part of the decision. We never disagreed about Charlie Craig religious convictions, we just think when you open the doors to the public, you have to serve everyone equally. Kristen Waggoner, Jack Phillips attorney, insists this isn't about discrimination, but religious freedom, which Kristen Waggoner said the high court affirmed. Jack Phillips said Jack Phillips lost 40 percent of Jack Phillips business after the initial lawsuit was filed six years ago. Jack Phillips has since been forced to lay off workers. Jack Phillips said Jack Phillips hopes the ruling will boost business.

  4. Jonar Nader:

    Those who construct loyalty programs through frequent-flyer points and the like, are merely trying to trap the customer. Loyalty must come naturally, not via points and schemes. If your customers are loyal to you as a result of such programs, then surely you realize that they are not loyal. Such schemes are tangible, and tangible things are susceptible to the law of annihilation. Anything that you do, can be matched by your competitor.

  5. Hugo Lloris:

    La Marseillaise sung by the English will make the moment even greater, we are very moved by all the messages of support in England and indeed across the world. Tomorrow, representing France as a nation will be more important than merely representing French football.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

merely#1#5564#10000

Translations for merely

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"merely." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/merely>.

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    an outward bevel around a door or window that makes it seem larger
    A lank
    B askant
    C splay
    D pecuniary

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